Batting Ball On A Cable Having A Low Friction Surface To Provide Proper Swing Technique and Muscle Memory

ABSTRACT

A batting ball is slidably mounted on a line having a low friction surface to provide proper swing technique and muscle memory. A hook and eye turnbuckle is connected to an end of the cable by a thimble and clamp set. A swivel snap hook is connected to an end of the cable by a thimble and clamp set located opposite the hook and eye turn buckle. A bushing with a central opening is inserted and affixed into the ball opening. The bushing has a threaded end connected to an outer wall of the bushing. The central opening of the bushing will receive the cable. The balls are mounted onto the cable with a washer located at each end between the attaching elements and the balls. The washers act as a barrier to prevent the balls from being penetrated by the thimble and clamp set upon impact.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application, entitled, “BattingBall On A Cable Having A Low Friction Surface To Provide Proper SwingTechnique and Muscle Memory,” which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/605/623 filed Mar. 1, 2012, entitled,“Baseballs or softballs on a steel cable to provide proper swing technicand muscle memory.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates, generally, to a baseball practice device. Moreparticularly, it relates to a batting system having a ball slidablymounted on a line.

2. Background Art

Conventional batting practices require more time, people, and equipmentsuch as batting tees, balls, and a collection net to hit the same amountof balls. Current batting practices do not enforce proper muscle memoryand hand-eye coordination.

More particularly, current batting systems require complex set-up on afield. Additionally, they do not allow for continual batting of ballswith little delay in between each swing. Often a batter is dependent onother individuals to pitch the ball, to set the balls on a batting tee,to collect the balls, and to retrieve the balls.

Thus, there is a need for a batting system that allows for easy set-upat any field, is compact and easy to transport, promotes continualbatting of balls with little delay in between each swing, and allows fora batter to practice independently without requiring anyone to pitch theballs, to set balls on batting tees, to retrieve the balls, and tocollect the balls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a batting systemthat is adapted for a ball to be slidably mounted on a line which alsoincludes improvements that overcome the limitations of prior artbaseball practice devices is now met by a new, useful, and non-obviousinvention.

The novel batting device includes a cable having a low friction surfaceincluding, but not limited to, nylon, teflon, rubber, vinyl, or plastic.A hook and eye turnbuckle is connected to an end of the cable by afastener including, but not limited to, a thimble and clamp set. Aswivel snap hook is connected to an end of the cable located oppositethe hook and eye turn buckle. The swivel snap hook is connected to theend of the cable by a fastener including, but not limited to, a thimbleand clamp set. At least one ball is slidably mounted to the cable. Theball includes, but is not limited to, a baseball, a softball, or awhiffle ball. More particularly, the preferred configuration is aplurality of balls slidably mounted on the cable.

This novel invention also includes an improved bushing with a centralopening that is inserted and affixed into the hole that has been drilledinto the center of the balls. The bushing includes, but is not limitedto, metal or plastic. More particularly, the preferred bushing has athreaded portion connected to an outer wall of the bushing. The threadedportion is screwed into a hole through the center of the ball and can beadhered.

This improved bushing is fixedly attached to the ball. The centralopening of the bushing will receive the cable, allowing the bushing toslidably traverse the cable.

Fender washers are slidably mounted onto the cable located towards eachof the fasteners, including but not limited to, a thimble and clamp set.It is also within the scope of this invention to use any type of platewith a hole located thereon. The balls are mounted onto the cable with awasher located at each end between the hook and eye turnbuckle and theballs as well as between the swivel snap hook and the balls. The cablehas the hook and eye turnbuckle and swivel snap hook connected to eitherend by the thimble and clamp set. The washers act as a barrier toprevent the balls from being penetrated by the thimble and clamp setupon impact.

The improved batting system is adapted for a batter to continuouslyswing at a ball independently while executing a proper swingingtechnique. An attaching element including, but not limited to, a swivelsnap hook or a hook and eye turnbuckle are attached at the corner of astationary object including, but not limited to, a chain link fence or awooden fence, to form a triangle. At least one ball with an openingengages the improved bushing having a central opening that is fixedlyattached to the opening of at least one ball. The central opening of thebushing receives the cable, thereby suspending the balls on the cablelocated between the washers and the fasteners. This improved bushingallows the balls to move with a low coefficient of friction along thecable. The cable is tightened with the use of the hook and eyeturnbuckle until the cable is taut.

All the balls are pushed to one end of the cable towards the hook andeye turnbuckle or the swivel snap hook dependent on whether the batteris left handed or right handed. A ball can be separated by a user fromthe group of balls so the hitter can swing and hit the ball with a bat.The ball slides along the cable to the opposing end of the fence wherethe cable is fastened. This process is repeated until all the balls havebeen hit and have slidably traversed the cable. To begin the process atthe beginning again, the balls are pulled back to where the hitteroriginally started. Alternatively, the balls are hit by a bat to theopposing end of the cable. The cable forces the hitter to develop properswing technique and muscle memory. The cable does not allow the batterto swing under the ball, but forces a hitter to hit through the ball bymaking contact with the top of the ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the batting system;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the batting system; and,

FIG. 3 is a side view of the batting system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a parthereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specificembodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Each embodiment of the illustrative embodiments will accommodate novelbushing 3, regardless of the type of ball 4 that is slidably mounted oncable 2. Novel bushing 3 has a length great enough to substantially spanthe width of ball 4. Bushing 3 has a threaded portion connected to theouter wall of bushing 3. The threaded portion rotatably engages opening9 fixedly attaching bushing 3 to ball 4. In an alternate embodiment,outer wall of bushing 4 can be adhered to opening 9 securing bushing 3to ball 4. Bushing 3 has central opening 10 receiving cable 2, wherebycable 2 penetrates central opening 10 allowing bushing 3 to slidablytraverse cable 2.

For instance, FIG. 2 shows batting system 8 with ball 4 being abaseball. The ball includes, but is not limited to a baseball, asoftball, or a whiffle ball.

These embodiments are illustrative of the invention and are notexhaustive thereof. As batting system manufacturers add additional ordifferent stationary objects, still further attaching elements may berequired in future embodiments of the invention but all such futureembodiments are within the scope of this invention.

For example, in a preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1, battingsystem 8 may be attached to an L-shaped chain link fence 11. Thus, theattaching elements including, but not limited to, hook and eyeturnbuckle 1 and swivel snap hook 5 would connect both ends of cable 2to chain link fence 11 to form a triangle. Alternatively, batting system8 may be attached between two poles (not shown). Hook and eye turnbuckle1 and swivel snap hook 5 connect both ends of cable 2 between two poles(not shown) to suspended cable 2.

Thus, attaching elements 1 and 5 will connect with all currently knownstationary objects and in view of this disclosure any future changes inattaching elements 1 and 5 can be met.

In addition to the aforesaid embodiments of batting system 8, ball 4includes multiple additional improvements as well.

A first improvement as shown in FIG. 2 is of ball 4 having opening 9.Opening 9 receives bushing 3 having a helical portion connected to anouter wall of bushing 3. The helical portion rotatably engages opening 9fixedly attaching bushing 3 to ball 4. Alternatively, an adhesive can beused to secure bushing 3 to ball 4. Bushing 3 has a central opening 10which receives cable 2. Cable 2 penetrates central opening 10 allowingbushing 3 to slide across cable 2 with ease.

A second improvement of batting device 8 includes washer 7 having anaperture receiving cable 2. Washer 7 is located between ball 4 and hookand eye turnbuckle 1. Additionally, batting device 8 includes washer 12having an aperture receiving cable 2. Washer 12 is located between ball4 and swivel snap hook 5. Washers 7 and 12 are configured to separateball 4 from coming into contact with fastener 6 which secures attachingelements 1 and 5 to cable 2. This separation prevents damage to ball 4,to fasteners 6, and to batting system 8 as a whole upon impact.

Additional objects include, but are not limited to, the provision ofbatting system 8 having cable 2 suspending a plurality of balls 4, ball4 having an improved bushing 3 with a helical portion to attach bushing3 to ball 4, washers 7 and 12 separating ball 4 from attaching elements1 and 5, and attaching elements 1 and 5 configured to be connected tostationary object 11.

These and other important objects, advantages, and features of theinvention will become clear as this description proceeds.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will beexemplified in the description set fourth hereinafter and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

Construction of the Novel Batting System

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 show batting system 8 having cable 2suspended from stationary object 11. Cable 2 has an end connected tohook and eye turnbuckle 1 and an opposite end connected to swivel snaphook 5. Hook and eye turnbuckle 1 and swivel snap hook 5 are connectedto cable 2 with a fastener including, but not limited to, a thimble andclamp set 6. Hook and eye turnbuckle 1 is attached to stationary object11. Swivel snap hook 5 is attached to stationary object 11. Primarywasher 7 receives cable 2 and is located between ball 4 and hook and eyeturnbuckle 1. Secondary washer 12 is located between ball 4 and swivelsnap hook 5.

FIG. 2 shows batting system 8 having ball 4 with opening 9 locatedthrough a central axis of ball 4. Bushing 3 spans the width of ball 4and has opening 10 receiving cable 2.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those madeapparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Sincecertain changes may be made in the above construction without departingfrom the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matterscontained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described,

The invention claimed is:
 1. A batting system, comprising: a line havinga first distal end located opposite of a second distal end; said firstdistal end having a first attaching element; said second distal endhaving a second attaching element; said first attaching elementconnected to a first stationary object; said second attaching elementconnected to a second stationary object; a ball having an opening, saidopening located through a central axis of said ball; a support structurehaving a length great enough to substantially span the width of saidball; said support structure having a helical portion connected to anouter wall of said support structure, whereby said helical portionrotatably engages said opening fixedly attaching said support structureto said ball, said support structure having a central opening, saidcentral opening receiving said line, whereby said line penetrates saidcentral opening allowing said support structure to slidably traversesaid line; a first plate having an aperture to receive said line, saidfirst plate located between said ball and said first distal end of saidline; and, a second plate having an aperture to receive said line, saidsecond plate located between said ball and said second distal end ofsaid line.
 2. The batting device of claim 1, wherein a plurality ofballs are slidably mounted on said line.
 3. The batting device of claim1, having a tensioning device connected between said first or secondstationary object and a portion of said line.